Moving Garage Band files from iPad to iMac via iCloud?

I have created several songs in Garage Band on my iPad. How do I get them into Garage Band on my iMac? I have uploaded them to iCloud but see no way of getting them out of the cloud and onto my iMac for more detailed editing. Help!

You'll need to connect the iPad to iTunes and use the File Sharing area of the GarageBand app to transfer projects that you have exported to iTunes. As I see it the iCloud backup feature would let you reclaim your projects from the cloud if you had to restore the device, but isn't a mechanism to share them with your Mac.

So, as far as I can tell, exporting to iTunes or any other of the options in GarageBand on the iPad just makes an m4a of the file. This is fine if you actually created the finished product on the iPad and want to share it, but I wanted to use the iPad as the audio capture device and then be able to further edit the GarageBand file (individual tracks) in GarageBand on my iMac for higher quality and further controll. It doesn't make sense to me why you wouldn't be able to access and edit the actual iPad-created GarageBand file on your Mac. It seems to me that you SHOULD be able to create a project mobily using your iPad and then "fix it up" using the expanded capabilities of GarageBand for Mac. Furthermore, it seems like you SHOULD be able to transfer these file via iCloud. Anybody know how to accomplish this? Maybe it is impossible for now... :-(

Here is an example of a song I made using GarageBand for iPad. Turned out OK, but I would like to tweak some things and just cannot do what I need to on the mobile verison of GarageBand.

In GarageBand with your view of all songs showing tap the Edit button, then the song you want to export, then the export arrow icon at the top left, Share Song Via > iTunes > GarageBand.

Now connect your iPad to iTunes, select the Apps tab, scroll down to the File Sharing area, locate GarageBand within that, and copy your project out to your Mac. You should be able to edit this file in GarageBand.

iam, I listened to your song. One word, great. Did you really do the entire song in Garage Band for iPad? Wow, good work. No wonder you want transfer it for greatest quality. This is really a good song. Did you also record the vocal on the iPad? Please write me back before you become a star.

Hey Prodigal, thank you for the words of encouragement. Glad to hear you enjoyed the song. The short answer is yes. I used real gear and simply used garage band and the built in mic on my ipad 2 to capture and edite the song. I can give more specifics on how I accomplished this. Here is another tune I recorded in the same fashion.

Another great song. I did not clearly understand your response to my question, were the songs totally recorded via Garageband on iPad? You stated:

iamNuckels wrote:

Hey Prodigal, thank you for the words of encouragement. Glad to hear you enjoyed the song. The short answer is yes. I used real gear and simply used garage band and the built in mic on my ipad 2 to capture and edite the song. I can give more specifics on how I accomplished this. Here is another tune I recorded in the same fashion.

What I meant was that instead of using the digital amp modeling features withing GB, I used a real electric guitat amp with real effects pedals for the electric guitar's tone, and a real bass amp for the bass guitar. I other words, i didn't use iRig or something to plug my guitar into my iPad and then effect the toe, i simply used the iPad to capture the tone being created by real guitar gear. I just set the iPad on a music stand near the amp and recorded the tracks. As far as vocals and acoustic guitar, I just set the iPad on my desk and tracked each part. Then used GB to mix everything and use GB's onboard effects to add reverb and stuff. Hope that's a bit more clear. Sorry for the confusion.

Thanks Nuckels. I figured that's what you meant. The song is still great. I was kind of hoping all would have been done on the iPad 2, but I will admit, it certainly does have a great sound. I am impressed. I use Cubase 6 with other digital gear, but I am thrilled to know I can get such a great sound from Garageband. I too have the iMac with Garageband on it. I'm just now getting into the program. I am a Christian too brother and your song is a great testimony. Keep up the good work. Oh, did you ever figure a way to export the file from the iPad to your iMac version of Garageband? I want to know also. The iPad 2 certainly is a great work pad for ideas and such.

Oh, did you ever figure a way to export the file from the iPad to your iMac version of Garageband? I want to know also.

Answered earlier in this thread.

In GarageBand with your view of all songs showing tap the Edit button, then the song you want to export, then the export arrow icon at the top left, Share Song Via > iTunes > GarageBand.

Now connect your iPad to iTunes, select the Apps tab, scroll down to the File Sharing area, locate GarageBand within that, and copy your project out to your Mac. You should be able to edit this file in GarageBand.

tt2, you can access the GarageBand projects on your Mac without ITunes, if you sync them to iCloud. They will appear in your User Library, in the "Mobile Documents folder". That is where all cloud documents are stored on a mac.

The user library is hidden, and you are not supposed to fool around with it. To unhide it, use the Finder's "Go" menu.

Click somewhere on your empty Desktop to bring the Finder forward, then you'll see "Go" in the Finder's main menu bar.

Then hold down the options key ⌥ until "library" appears in the drop down menu. Click Library to open.

When the Library window appears, select "Mobile Documents" - that is de facto the "Cloud" folder. I found all my iPad music projects in the "xxxmobilegarageband" folder .

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